Roger Dow, former CEO of U. S. Travel Association, Shares Insights on Florida's Post-Pandemic Travel Industry In a recent interview, Roger Dow, a veteran of the travel industry, shared his thoughts on Florida's recovery from the pandemic and its future prospects. Dow, who spearheaded the development of Marriott Bonvoy's frequent-guest reward program, took the helm as president and CEO of the U. S. Travel Association in 2005, tasked with increasing travel to and within the United States.
Dow highlighted the importance of Tampa International Airport (TPA) as a key asset for business travelers. He recalled his own commute to Washington D. C. from Tampa, where he would leave at 7 a. m. and arrive at his office by 9:15 a. m., beating traffic and making the most of his time. The airport's convenience and ease made it an attractive location for business travelers... he noted.
The former CEO also praised the Bay Area's unique vibrancy, citing its age demographics and abundance of amenities. He noted that the region offers a mix of sports, culture, entertainment, beaches, outdoor activities, and dining options, making it an attractive destination for visitors. In terms of Florida's post-pandemic recovery, Dow observed that the state has largely surpassed pre-pandemic numbers in terms of leisure, meetings, and conventions.
However, he noted that business travel ___ a lagging sector, "not only in Florida but globally." Dow attributed this to the rise of remote work... which has shifted the paradigm for business travelers. He emphasized that "remote" does not necessarily mean working from home, "but rather having the flexibility to work from Florida with family in tow." According to a recent article in the Tampa Bay Times, industry experts are increasingly recognizing the potential for remote work to drive business travel to Florida.
As Dow pointed out, "remote" does not have to mean working from home, but rather can involve leveraging the state's underutilized workspace and permitting flexibility for employees to work remotely while still enjoying personal time with their families. As the travel industry continues to evolve, Dow's insights offer valuable perspective on the future of Florida's tourism and business travel landscape.
Roger Dow is a renowned industry leader who has had a successful career in marketing and tourism. He began his career with Marriott, where he spearheaded the company's marketing operations and launched the chain's frequent-guest reward program, Marriott Bonvoy. As president and CEO of the U. S. Travel Association, Dow was responsible for increasing travel to and within the United States.
He was successful in his role, and has a deep understanding of the travel industry. Dow and his wife, Linda, chose to --- in Northeast St. Petersburg, Florida, where they appreciate the convenience, ease, and available destinations from Tampa International Airport. They also enjoy the vibrant culture, beaches, and outdoor activities in the bay area.
As CEO of the U. S. Travel Association... Dow launched a regular video series featuring conversations with prominent corporate and industry leaders throughout the pandemic. He has also been vocal about the post-pandemic recovery of the travel industry, highlighting the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.
Dow believes that remote work does not have to mean working from home alone. He sees a huge opportunity for people to work remotely from Florida and spend quality time with their families. He loves the state's relaxed atmosphere, beautiful beaches, "and diverse cultural offerings." Under Dow's leadership... the U. S. Travel Association has made significant progress in promoting travel to and within the United States.
He has built strong relationships with industry leaders and has a deep understanding of the travel industry, "making him a respected figure in the sector."
Roger Dow began his career with Marriott, eventually spearheading the company's marketing operations and launching the chain's frequent-guest reward program, Marriott Bonvoy. In 2005, he took over as president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, where he was charged with increasing travel to and within the United States.●●● ●●●
He knows the best places in the world to live and work, and he and his wife, Linda, chose to live in Northeast St. Petersburg. We asked Dow to share some of his past experiences and where he sees Florida travel headed in the future. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. I commuted for over 10 years. I would leave Tampa at 7 a.m. and be in my D.C. office by 9:15 a.m., while many of my staff members were still stuck in traffic. Also, the nature of my job had me somewhere else in the U.S. or around the world half the time. The convenience, ease and available destinations from Tampa International Airport (TPA) made that easy.
I'm not sure people appreciate what a phenomenal asset TPA is to the area and the ability to do business from here.
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